Spock was finally asleep. He had been reluctant to
even come down tosickbay after returning to the ship half-dead, but Doctor McCoy'spleas, cajoles and threats brooked
no argument. Spock had put lifesupport to bare minimum in order to have enough energy to study thegiant space amoeba.
Once again the Vulcan had put his own life onthe line to save the crew, and now his body was paying for it.

McCoy
swore fiercely under his breath as scanned Spock's readingswhile the Vulcan floated in the pressurechamber.

"Oxygen
saturation levels still only at sixty percent," the doctorfumed. He checked the gauges again on the pressure chamber.
"I can'traise the pressure any higher, you pig-headed Vulcan," he mutteredas he increased the oxygen levels in the
chamber yet again. "Why isit every time somebody's injured on a landing party, it's got to beyou that gets the worst
of it? Why must you volunteer for everydangerous assignment? You -know- I have a hard time patching youback together!"

McCoy
placed his hands against the glass and let go of his pent-upfrustrations and fears, knowing the booth to be soundproof.
"One ofthese days, Spock," he yelled, "one of these days I'm not going tobe able to put you back together. Do you
have a death wish orsomething? Don't you care about the rest of us, about thosewho . . . love . . . you?"

Tears
started to cloud McCoy's vision. "No one knows your twistedinsides better than me, Spock," the doctor continued. "What's
goingto happen when I'm not there to patch your skinny green ass backtogether? How am I going to face Jim and say,
'I couldn't save himthis time. I couldn't save Spock'? What do I tell you parents?"

Sobs began to rock McCoy's
slight frame. "Do you know how many timesI've kept watch over you just like this and prayed, 'Oh, God, don'ttake,
don't take him'?" The doctor threw himself at the glass andbeat his fists upon it. "Stop trying to throw your life away!"
hecried. "If you don't value it -I- certainly do!"

McCoy lowered his head to his hands for a long moment. As the
doctorquieted, he felt something, another presence in the room.

"I don't see how
he couldn't," the doctor replied shakily. //Notthat I'd breathe one damn word to -you!-// "I use so many terms ofendearment
with Spock, he'd be either a fool or deaf not to know.And with ears like those..."

Kirk smiled. McCoy turned on
the captain.

"I go through the same thing when you're injured," he said, pointingan accusing finger Kirk's way.
//Well, maybe not -exactly- the same,but I'm not tellin' -you- that!// "The two of you will be the deathof me yet!"

Kirk
saw movement past the doctor's shoulder. "Bones, I thinksomeone is awake." McCoy spun toward the window. Spock was reachingout
a hand to him as he floated in the tank, pressing his fingers tothe glass.

"Oh, I didn't mean to wake you up,"
McCoy gently apologized over theintercom as he matched his fingers to Spock's.

Spock shook his head and replied,
"You didn't wake me. How muchlonger?"

McCoy checked the readout and smiled a crooked smile.

"Your oxygen
saturation level is up to 87 and climbing," McCoyreplied with a smile. "Your nitrogen level is nearly normal. Itwon't
be long now. Try to get some more sleep." Spock nodded tiredlyand closed his eyes.

McCoy turned and saw Kirk smirking
at him. The doctor waved athreatening finger at the captain.

"Say ONE word, Jim, and I'll give you the –works-
on your nextphysical," McCoy threatened, "-manually,- with -cold- instruments."